Mechanics Hall needs well, septic system installed

Tom Daly, representing the Underutilized Assets Study Committee, asked conservation commission members what the possibilities are for Mechanics Hall in relation to wetland issues at its Oct. 18 meeting.

The property consists of one-third acre or about 100x150 feet.

“A typical septic system has to be 100 feet from a well, or use a tight tank,” said Daly. “Could a well be located on the rear of the property, and if so, how close to the wetland can it be?”

There is a well that is shared with Town Line Garage and Kwik Stop, said Daly.

“The town has been trying to figure out what to do with Mechanic’s Hall for the past 10-20 years,” said Daly. “Mechanics Hall is a key element for the East Princeton Village District and we need to know whether to make it viable for public use or for sale.”

Daly said there was no functional septic system on the site. At one point there was a cesspool and perc tests have been done, said Daly.

“Locating a well in a resources area won’t fly,” said conservation commission member David Getman. “You could go to the edge of a delineated wetland in a buffer zone, but the wetland has to be delineated first. You also have to deal with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.”

Keys Brook runs behind Mechanics Hall and that is fed by the Onion Patch, the waters of which run into a public water supply. Getman noted other systems along Main Street have been repaired and a tight tank put in on one property.

“It can be done, but there are a lot of hurdles,” said Getman on running a water supply line under or through a stream.

Conservation commission chair Holly Palmgren said constraints from a neighbor’s well and septic system are also in place.

“In order to even sell the building it would have to have a water supply,” said Daly. “A tight tank could go 50-feet from a well. One portion of the back of the building needs to come off.”

“If you are within the buffer zone, you’ll need erosion controls,” said Palmgren.

The commission suggested the wetland areas be delineated so the committee would have a better idea what they had to work with.